Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was rightfully elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Friday in the very first year of his eligibility. It was a no-brainer if we’re being honest, as the Pacman was the face of boxing—alongside one Floyd Mayweather Jr.—for the better part of the last two decades. So, as a fitting tribute to the only eight-division world champion, we’ve taken a trip down memory lane and listed his greatest fights—the very ones that defined his illustrious, Hall of Fame career.
Take a look:
Pacquiao vs. Lehlohonolo Ledwaba – June 23, 2001
Pacquiao, then just 22, was already a world champion when he faced South Africa’s Lehlohonolo Ledwaba at the MGM Grand Arena. But he was largely unknown beyond Southeast Asia, much less the US. That changed when Pacquiao eviscerated Ledwaba on this night, knocking the South African down thrice en route to a sixth-round stoppage.
Curiously, Pacquiao wasn’t even supposed to fight Ledwaba—at least not yet—as the latter was originally scheduled to take on Enrique Sanchez. But the Mexican got injured two weeks before the fight, and the fighting pride of General Santos City stepped up in his stead and won the IBF super bantamweight title. The rest was history.
Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera I – November 15, 2003
The fight with Ledwaba introduced Pacquiao to the world. His first fight with Marco Antonio Barrera at the Alamodome in San Antonio proved the Filipino was among the world’s best. Pacquiao proved too fast, too strong, and too good for Barrera, whose record to that point was 57-4 and was already considered by most pundits as a boxing legend.
Pacquiao battered Barrera up until the 11th round, when the latter’s corner waived off the fight. It was a flawless performance for the Filipino—save for him getting called for a knockdown incorrectly in round 1. It was also the first time Barrera got stopped inside the distance.
Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez I – May 8, 2004
Six months later, on May 8, 2004, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Pacquiao challenged another Mexican great in Juan Manuel Marquez, then the proud holder of the WBA and IBF featherweight titles. Pacquiao looked headed for a quick and decisive victory early, knocking down Marquez three times in round 1 alone.
The proud Mexican got up every time and later slugged it out with the Filipino for 12 furious rounds. The fight was later on ruled a draw, with one judge favoring Marquez, 115-110; another giving it to Pacquiao, 115-110; and the third judge scoring it 113-113. It may not have been a win, but Pacman’s relentless style, heart, and tenacity—hallmarks of Pacquiao’s career—certainly shined.
Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales I – March 19, 2005
Another defining trait of Pacquiao was his willingness to take on the biggest challenges. He did so again after his controversial draw against Marquez, moving up to super featherweight to challenge another Mexican champion, Erik Morales, at the MGM Grand Arena. El Terrible up to that point had lost only twice—both to Barrera—and was regarded as the division’s best. He proved that against Pacquiao.
The Filipino, though, didn’t yield, going toe-to-toe with his Mexican counterpart for 12 brutal back-and-forth rounds even after suffering a bad cut in the fifth round due to an accidental clash of heads. In the end, Morales got the hard-earned unanimous decision victory; Pacquiao earned the respect of the boxing world even more for his gutsy, all-heart performance.
Pacquiao vs. Oscar De La Hoya – December 6, 2006
By this time, Pacquiao was already an all-conquering force in boxing, with wins over Barrera (2), Marquez (1), and Morales (2). At his prime and near the very top of the sport, the Pacman sought out its biggest name for his next challenge: former multiple-time champion Oscar De La Hoya.
While already 35 at that time, De La Hoya was still favored by many mainly due to his size as a natural welterweight—as opposed to Pacquiao, who began his boxing career at light flyweight. It hardly mattered that De La Hoya was the bigger man as Pacquiao used his superior speed, accuracy, and otherworldly power to batter the Mexican-American for eight rounds. The Pacman gave the former champ such a bad beating he didn’t even bother to get up from his stool for the ninth round.
Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto – November 14, 2009
The newly minted boxing Hall of Famer fought the very best of boxing—and Miguel Cotto was certainly one of those. He was also in his athletic prime at that point, as was the Pacman. But what was supposed to be a 50-50 affair turned into a one-sided beating, with the Filipino taking charge in round 3.
Pacquiao once again leaned on his blinding speed and phenomenal power to frustrate Cotto pretty much the whole fight—up until it was mercifully waved off with just 55 seconds in the 12th and final round. Cotto-Pacquiao was a super fight in every sense of the word, but it was Pacman who proved to be super in this fight.
